Nuclear physics is the study of the atomic nucleus and its constituents - the fundamental particles and their interactions. It is the iconic example of science that can be used for good or ill. It brought us atomic and hydrogen bombs, but also life-saving medical radiation imaging and treatments, near-zero carbon-emission power plants, and the prospect of controlling nuclear fusion to produce almost limitless clean energy.
In this course, based on a Great Courses lecture series (see bit.ly/NucPhys for a course description), we will watch and discuss two half-hour lectures each session. The first part of the course will discuss the physics of the nucleus; the second part, applications to medicine, energy, and archaeological dating. While some technical background may be helpful in the first part, it is not necessary, and the instructor will endeavor to explain further any unfamiliar concepts.
Craig Stephan, Ph.D. is a retired physicist from Ford Motor Co. and Argonne National Lab. He has led many previous science-oriented OLLI study groups including Cosmology, The Higgs Boson, Astrophysics, and The Science of Climate Change.
